The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-12-24
FARMER JOHNS CHRISTMAS
BOX.

1t was the afternoon before Christmas
Day, and honest John Grahame was pack
ing up his butter tubs and the remnant
of his Christmas marketing before re-
turning to his expectant family far off in
the quiet country.
All day long the great market-house
had been full to overlooking with an
eager crowd of people, busy with the buy
ing of their Christmas cheer; and john
fat turkeys, ducks, and country home
made sausages had been so well patron
lied that not one remained to burden his
two strong horses, which had drawn the
whole heavy load into the great city on
the afternoon previous. Many kindly
greeting of the season had been given
honest John by his smiling customers;
for Saint Nicholas gives to all who love
him happy face and light heart in this
his own festive season.
One thing yet remained to be done,and
John would have sooner lost his strong
right hand than neglected this pleasant
duty. There must be a nice present
bought for the kind wife at home,
and stop-a happy thought flashed
athwsrt the good mans mind. He would
buy Margery new bonnet, for times had
been hard this winter, and, although she
had made no mention of it John well knew
in his heart that it would be the very
thing to please her. Then there was lit
tie Dolly, who with her eyes as black as
q sloe berry and bright as stars in fros-
ty night, had stood on tip-toe to kiss him
as he sat in his wagon we'll rolled up in
blanket to keep out the cold, and who
ran down the walk to open the wide gate,
kissing her hand to him until he was hid
den from her sight by turn in the road.
"Pussy shall have her doll she has ask
ed for so often and good big box of SUI
gar-plums, too," he softly promised him
self, loving look coming into his mild
brown eyes; SO, calling his boy to finish
his preparations for him, he sailed forth
upon his errand of love. He strolled
along the busy streets, looking into the
store-windows with wondering curiosity
until milliner's display caught his eye
and he paused in front of the window.
His big, burly frame, with its rough
overcoat, took up so much room and
looked so utterly out of place that many
a curious, smiling look was cast upon
him. He stood so long time trying to
conquer his diffidence and enter the
store that little street ganaia sang out,
with nasal twang, "Say, old 'un, which
suits yer complexion best2 Buy the one
with the peaked top, old cabbage head"
John thus rudely reused to a sense OF
his position, shook his big fist good-nst-
uredly at the saucy urchin and entered
the store. Good humor and love held
high carnival in Johns heart this blessed
Christmas tide, and left no room for un-
kind feelings for any one.
The smiling saleelsdy, wondering at
her odd customer, displayed several bon
nets to Johns astonished eyes, fairly be-
wildering him with with the variety OF
shapes, colors, feathers, flowers, and the
many other varieties that she exhibited to
At last he sank into chair, saying,
"Well, ma am. guess I'll have to leave
it to you; can drive plough and man
age farm but can't buy womans
bonnet"
The woman. laughed heartily, and
picking out one Of quiet gray silk, with a
red rose and gray feather, presented it
to his tired gaze, and our good farmer,
glad to be quiet of this herculesn task
(worse to him than a whole days hay
making), clutched the bonnet box, and
without a murmer paid the fashionable
price the woman named, only too glad to
get off thus easily.
Next came the toy store. There he
found less difficulty, and soon picked out
an immense doll, almost as large as the
human Dolly, and to this was added the
box of goodies SO dear to the heart Of all
little ones.
Now then he was all ready, and in an
other halt-hour was rafting over the
stones of the city toward the country.
The horses, as it knowing whittier they
were bound, laid themselves to their
work right willingly every now and then
plsyfully turning toward one another
and nodding, as il exchanging their ideas
on the many queer sights they had seen
in the wonderful, great city. John turn
ed up the collar of his overcoat and tuck
ed in his blanket closely around him, for
he faced the wind and the sunset sky